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20– Michael
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด:
2025-04-10 05:36:35
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To Hate, To Love, And To Wed 21– Adaline
I step out of the car with a sigh, slow steps leading me into my father’s manor. Apart from the staff that opened the door for me, I haven’t seen anyone else as I walk inside. It’s quiet in here—it’s usually quiet, but the silence has never bothered me as it is now.I stop at the stairs, deciding against going up to my room. I turn into the hallway on the west wing, having one place in mind—my mother’s office. When I reach the door, I flatten my palm over the wood, pressing my forehead into it and shutting my eyes. My chin trembles, eyes watering. I sniffle with a shaky exhale, wrapping my hand around the knob and gently pushing it open.The wood creaks as the door opens. It’s all white in here—white walls that dad renews every year because he wants his wife’s space spotless, white sheets covering everything. I haven’t been in here since my mother passed. I haven’t had the courage to enter her office.But today, I feel like I need her. I stare at her desk and scoff. She’d always s
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-04-10To Hate, To Love, And To Wed 22– Adaline
The muffled echo of my name in my head wakes my mind up. But my eyes are still closed, limbs a little sore as I shift on the bed. But this doesn’t feel like my bed at all. It’s too restrictive… a little softer than my bed.“Adaline,” I hear again and feel a hand roaming my body. I jerk up with a gasp, blinking rapidly to adjust my eyes to the bright sunlight filing in through an open window. I plant my face inside my palms and scrub aggressively, groaning. I really need more sleep. When I look up again, I realize I’m still in my mother’s office. Kate is staring at me with a mocking smile, a brow curled up. “Your limbs are sore, aren’t they?” She clicks her tongue. “That’s why someone like you shouldn’t be sleeping on a couch.”“Someone like me?” my voice is groggy.She nods. “You’re a rough sleeper, Adaline. You need a really big space to survive the night without breaking yourself in half.”I snort out a laugh. “Shut your mouth.”“Come on,” she chuckles. “You need to freshen up a
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-04-11To Hate, To Love, And To Wed 23– Adaline
One… two… three… Seconds tick by, and yet, dad is yet to say anything. All he’s managed to do is steady his breathing, lick his lips, and blink. I don’t know why he’d react so oddly to this. Kate has been more like a daughter of this family. He always has been responsible for her even though they rarely see each other. This shouldn’t be difficult. “You have to say something, dad,” I say, calling back his mind to present. “Or… are you having a heart attack?”A small smile dents the corners of his mouth, his head shaking. “Why?”I inhale a deep breath. “Well… for one, she’s already like a sister. And I want her to take up our last name, so life will be a little easier for her.”“Life is already very easy for her,” he tells me matter-of-factly.“Because I’m here.” I counter. “You don’t even know the girl exists. You don’t ask about her except it’s necessary, you don’t—”“Why would I ask about her when it’s unnecessary? I provide for her, that’s all that matters.”I shake my head. “So
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-04-11To Hate, To Love, And To Wed 24– Adaline
His arms are tight around me, really tight. I can barely breathe with the way he’s squeezing me into himself. “I’m sorry, Ada,” Michael whispers, his voice pleading. The man is infuriating. He doesn’t like to talk to me, but knows how to show his vulnerability whenever he thinks I might leave him. I don’t think this is healthy at all.My face is pressed against his chest, my shoulders shaking as the sobs I've been holding back finally break free.“You really got what you wanted, didn’t you?” I cry into his chest.“I’m sorry,” he murmurs again, his voice trembling, making my heart clench. His breathing comes in shallow bursts, brushing against my ear warmly, sending tiny shivers down my spine. I hate him for making me feel this way.How is it even possible to be this angry, this heartbroken, and still have my stomach flip at the sound of his voice? How can I ache for someone who I’m supposed to be angry with? I clench my jaw, trying to hold myself together. My resolve hardens. I p
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-04-12To Hate, To Love, And To Wed 25– Michael
It’s been years since I’ve been in here. I cannot remember the last time I was in Rebecca’s office, watching her behind her desk while she barked orders at her workers—and sometimes screamed at me when I got things wrong. But today, I’m here again, with her daughter who is now my wife.It brings back memories—the memories I love to hold onto, and the ones I’ve been trying so hard to forget. It was in this office that I became Rebecca’s right hand man. It was in this office that she told me I could be independent, work for myself. It was in this office that the sniper who took her life stood and fired a shot that sent a bullet straight into her head. And I was so fucking late. So being here… I don’t know how it makes me feel. But Adaline wants to be here and I don’t know how to say no to her. “Are you sure it’s okay that we’re in here?” I ask her, hoping to god she changes her mind and takes us somewhere else instead. I can see that Adaline doesn’t want to be in here as well. B
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-04-12To Hate, To Love, And To Wed 26– Michael
“Adaline?” The door creaks as I push it open, walking into what I suppose is her room on hesitant steps. “Are you in here?”There’s no response. I walk further into the room, my eyes sweeping across the space. Adaline has the same taste as her mother.White everything—from the walls, to the sheets, to the curtains. And anything that is not white is either beige or black. Classy and mysterious.“Adaline?” I call out again, refocusing my mind on why I’m here. There’s still no response but I can hear the shower running. The door leading into her closet is open, so I take that as an invitation and step in.One step. Two steps. “Adaline?”When she doesn’t respond, I stop in my steps, a scoff leaving me. Smart girl. She’s luring me—into her bathroom.Fine, if that’s the game she wants to play, then I’ll oblige her.Anticipation pulses like a roar in my head as I wrap a hand around the door knob, twisting it slowly, taking my time with it so she feels exactly how I feel.Desperate.Needy.T
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-04-13To Hate, To Love, And To Wed 27– Michael
It’s been long minutes since I returned to Jameson’s office and quite frankly, steering my mind away from Adaline’s bare ass splayed on that island has been a hassle.And all I’ve done since coming in here is chug one glass after another of scotch.Jameson, although matching my reckless drinking pace, has been staring at me with narrowed eyes, seemingly wondering how my mood went sour after I went to meet Adaline.I groan and slam the glass down on the table for the… I don’t know, I’ve lost count.“You’re in a mood,” Jameson points out, taking a slow sip of the remaining drink in his glass.His eyes are already hooded, but the man is just as stubborn as his daughter. “You think?” I ask.He lifts his shoulder in shrug. “Just saying, my man. What happened?”“What happened is that your daughter is an infuriating woman. I’m this close to admitting she’s too much for me to handle.” I bite out, a growl in my voice.Actually, what I mean to say is that his daughter is beautiful, so beautifu
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-04-13To Hate, To Love, And To Wed 28– Adaline
I’m done packing my bags—just the necessary things I’d be needing for my stay at Michael’s. I don’t know how long I’ll be there before I have to come back home, but I’m sure I won’t be lacking anything.If there’s anything I need, Michael can sort it out.I zip up the box and stand in front of the mirror, adjusting the sleeves of my dress and smoothing out the fabric. My fingers twitch slightly with nervousness as his words echo in my mind.The things he wants to do to me, how he wants to do them… I inhale a deep breath, shaking my head to rid myself of such thoughts before focusing on styling my hair.The door creaks open behind me.I glance toward it, half-expecting Michael to walk in and tease me about taking too long.But it’s not him.It’s Kate.“You look happy,” she says with a soft smile, stepping inside and closing the door gently behind her. “Happier than you were yesterday…”I nod, my lips curling faintly. “Yeah… I took your advice and spoke to Michael about how I feel. And
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-04-13
บทล่าสุด
To Hate, To Love, And To Wed 34– Adaline
I’m waiting outside the company building, beside my father’s car as I wait for him to round up his brief meeting with his secretary and drive me home. My apartment isn’t very far from the family’s estate. Dad initially refused my request of moving in on my own, but when I threatened him with going to my grandmother from my mother’s side and giving up the career path he chose for me, he finally agreed with the condition that he drives me to and from work. I’m scrolling endlessly on my phone when I hear his approaching footsteps and the click of the car as the driver unlocks it. I stare up from my phone, my eyes meeting Dad’s for a brief moment. He simply eyes me as he rounds the car, climbing in—that’s all the acknowledgement I get from him.Someone is in a mood. I climb in and settle at the edge of the seat, still scrolling on my phone. The energy isn’t really helping my already frayed mind. I steal a glance at Dad, rolling my bottom lip between my teeth and nobbling for a moment
To Hate, To Love, And To Wed 33– Adaline
“I don’t think that’ll be necessary.”Then I walk out. And it’s not because I’m over him. But because I need to get away from him before the tears brimming my eyes start streaming down my face and he sees the effect he has on me. I run into the rest room, and lock myself inside one of the toilets, unbuttoning my shirt as I gasp, chasing my breath. I tell myself that Michael is not here. That was just a brief moment of mental relapse. But who am I kidding. He was there. He is here. Tears wet my cheeks and I wipe them off, sniffing while I gently slam my head into a wall until I’m able to calm my racing mind. And by the time that happens, my thirty minute lunch break is already over. Frustration is a little word to describe how I feel as I rush to the company cafeteria and get a coffee before rushing back to my office. I bring the cup between my lips, taking a slow sip as I open my office door and step in. My brows knit. My eyes narrow. And I stop dead in my tracks.What the…Mich
To Hate, To Love, And To Wed 32– Adaline
Three months later.It’s been exactly three months since Michael left. Three months without a message, or call, or visit, since he disappeared like he doesn’t exist.And somewhere between heartbreak and healing, I made peace with it. Even if it felt like my insides were ripping apart, even when my pride was crushed, I accepted the burn and moved on.There’s no use dwelling on the silence, on dwelling on someone who means nothing to me.I think of him sometimes. More than I’d like to admit. In the mornings, when I’m brushing my teeth and I glance up at my reflection. At night, when the world goes quiet and there’s nothing but the hum of my laptop, I remember the way he used to look at me with those creepy eyes that someone found a way to make me feel giddy.But it doesn’t matter now.Michael made his choice, and I’ve made mine.I buried myself in work, picked up the pieces of my pride, and continued my studies—online. I’m studying to become an accountant. Dad thinks it’s a good career
To Hate, To Love, And To Wed 31– Michael
I rise, adjusting the cuffs of my shirt as I crush the end of my cigar into the ashtray. Without another word, I step out of the office, Caleb following behind me, and head down the hall toward the underground VIP lounge—the place where real conversations happen. Where the masks come off and the deals get bloody.The underground lounge is a little quieter than the main club, but there’s still music here, although more tame so we can hear each other speak when talking business rather than screaming at the top of our lungs. I push open the door and step inside. It’s a haze of smoke, perfume, and poor decisions.Three men—Jorge, Luis, and Santino—are lounging on the dark velvet couches like kings on thrones. Shirt buttons open. Cigars burning. Their suits wrinkled from how tenaciously the dancers are grinding on them.They’re laughing so loud and throwing cash into the air like they’ve never received a lap-dance from a naked woman before. Luis slaps a dancer’s thigh while Jorge pops ope
To Hate, To Love, And To Wed 30– Michael
Today’s been nothing short of chaos—going from one meeting to the next, shaking new hands while cutting ties with old ones. And in all of these, the only person I’ve thought about is Adaline.I want to know what she’s doing, how she’s doing..It’s maddening not knowing.I thought about dropping everything and going to her. I thought about showing up at her door, giving her the clarity I know she needs. She craves communication, she always has because it makes her feel in control of situations even when she’s not. So I’m certain that the silence I’ve left behind is slowly driving her out of her mind.But I didn’t go.Because I need more time.Just a little more time.Maybe it’s cowardice. Or maybe it’s protection. Either way, it doesn’t matter. Not yet.Maybe this is for the best.I flick my lighter, watching the flame curl out like a tongue, licking the end of my cigar until it chars and glows red. I take a long drag, the smoke filling my lungs. I pull the cigar away, exhaling slowly,
To Hate, To Love, And To Wed 29– Adaline
It’s almost noon, and I can’t say my day has gotten better.From the moment I woke up—after just a few hours of sleep that can be considered “adequate,” yet somehow still exhausted—with a splitting headache, to now, sitting in my mother’s art room, pretending to work on a piece… nothing has changed, everything has just been going downhill.I haven’t made a single decent brushstroke. My eyes aren’t even on the canvas—they’re fixed outside the window, watching the rain pelt the ground aggressively. Of all the days, it chose to rain today.The rain had better wash away this worry of mine before I completely crash out.My fingers shake around the brush, making it slip from my hand for the millionth time today, falling straight onto my shorts and staining them red. A low groan rumbles in my throat and I collapse back into the seat, slouching and pushing my lips out into a pout. My jaw clenches hard. My teeth feel like they’re grinding to dust.This isn’t how I envisioned my day.But it’s
To Hate, To Love, And To Wed 28– Adaline
I’m done packing my bags—just the necessary things I’d be needing for my stay at Michael’s. I don’t know how long I’ll be there before I have to come back home, but I’m sure I won’t be lacking anything.If there’s anything I need, Michael can sort it out.I zip up the box and stand in front of the mirror, adjusting the sleeves of my dress and smoothing out the fabric. My fingers twitch slightly with nervousness as his words echo in my mind.The things he wants to do to me, how he wants to do them… I inhale a deep breath, shaking my head to rid myself of such thoughts before focusing on styling my hair.The door creaks open behind me.I glance toward it, half-expecting Michael to walk in and tease me about taking too long.But it’s not him.It’s Kate.“You look happy,” she says with a soft smile, stepping inside and closing the door gently behind her. “Happier than you were yesterday…”I nod, my lips curling faintly. “Yeah… I took your advice and spoke to Michael about how I feel. And
To Hate, To Love, And To Wed 27– Michael
It’s been long minutes since I returned to Jameson’s office and quite frankly, steering my mind away from Adaline’s bare ass splayed on that island has been a hassle.And all I’ve done since coming in here is chug one glass after another of scotch.Jameson, although matching my reckless drinking pace, has been staring at me with narrowed eyes, seemingly wondering how my mood went sour after I went to meet Adaline.I groan and slam the glass down on the table for the… I don’t know, I’ve lost count.“You’re in a mood,” Jameson points out, taking a slow sip of the remaining drink in his glass.His eyes are already hooded, but the man is just as stubborn as his daughter. “You think?” I ask.He lifts his shoulder in shrug. “Just saying, my man. What happened?”“What happened is that your daughter is an infuriating woman. I’m this close to admitting she’s too much for me to handle.” I bite out, a growl in my voice.Actually, what I mean to say is that his daughter is beautiful, so beautifu
To Hate, To Love, And To Wed 26– Michael
“Adaline?” The door creaks as I push it open, walking into what I suppose is her room on hesitant steps. “Are you in here?”There’s no response. I walk further into the room, my eyes sweeping across the space. Adaline has the same taste as her mother.White everything—from the walls, to the sheets, to the curtains. And anything that is not white is either beige or black. Classy and mysterious.“Adaline?” I call out again, refocusing my mind on why I’m here. There’s still no response but I can hear the shower running. The door leading into her closet is open, so I take that as an invitation and step in.One step. Two steps. “Adaline?”When she doesn’t respond, I stop in my steps, a scoff leaving me. Smart girl. She’s luring me—into her bathroom.Fine, if that’s the game she wants to play, then I’ll oblige her.Anticipation pulses like a roar in my head as I wrap a hand around the door knob, twisting it slowly, taking my time with it so she feels exactly how I feel.Desperate.Needy.T
